I don't see it as a huge problem. County teams routinely rest key players against touring teams so with the Australian boys back playing for NSW there will definitely be a competitive team that takes the field. Have a look at the NSW squad, take out the best 11 players and you will see the team is likely to feature players like Rohrer, Nevill, Henry, Bollinger, Sandhu/Copeland, O'Keefe, Carters etc.

I'm a little surprised by that. But it's probably more a result of the corner they've painted themselves into than logic.

Surely it isn't that big a surprise? The Cricketers on show will be of a higher level compared to other first class matches in the world.

Some fans overreact. If NSW had a full strength team against England that would mean another state would be resting or doing nothing just before the Test match. This way we get 3 Shield matches with all the Aussie reps back plus the touring game which will feature half the NSW team from the first couple of Shield matches anyway. Its no surprise that NSW are hosting this game because they have the most depth (not to be confused with mos def).